Trays, palletized tray, blanks and method for forming a tray

Abstract

A tray includes a first outer side wall, a bottom wall hingedly attached to the first outer side wall, a second outer side wall hingedly attached to the bottom wall, a first inner side wall coupled to the first outer side wall by a first plurality of connecting segments defining at least a first container receptacle, and a second inner side wall coupled to the second outer side wall by a second plurality of connecting segments defining at least a second container receptacle.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A tray comprising: a first outer side wall; a bottom wall hingedly attached to the first outer side wall; a second outer side wall hingedly attached to the bottom wall; a first inner side wall coupled to the first outer side wall by a first plurality of connecting segments defining at least a first container receptacle; and a second inner side wall coupled to the second outer side wall by a second plurality of connecting segments defining at least a second container receptacle. 
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising an end tab coupled to the bottom wall and foldably coupled to the first inner side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle comprising a portion of the second inner wall. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tab coupled to each of the first and second outer side walls, the at least one tab configured to secure a container within a respective container receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first inner wall and the second inner wall are coupled in a face-to-face relationship. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 5 , wherein the first inner wall and the second inner wall are flush and at least partially overlap. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle portion, wherein the handle portion comprises two plies. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the tray is configured to be collapsible into a palletized form and wherein in the palletized form, a handle portion extends past a remaining portion of the tray. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the tray, in a palletized state, comprises: a first layer including a portion of a base section of the tray and the first outer side wall of the tray; a second layer including the first plurality connecting segments coupling the first outer wall and the first inner wall; and a third layer including at least a portion of a handle of the tray and the second plurality of connecting segments coupling the handle to the base section of the tray. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 9 , wherein the tray, in an erected state, the bottom wall is hingedly attached to the first outer side wall; and the second outer side wall hingedly attached to the bottom wall. 
     
     
         11 . A blank to form an erected tray, the blank comprising: a base section extending along a lateral axis; a first lateral section foldably coupled to the base section; a first end section coupled to the first lateral section; an end tab foldably coupled to the first end section; a second lateral section foldably coupled to the base section; a second end section coupled to the second lateral section; a handle tab foldably coupled to the second end section; and a plurality of connecting segments, each of the plurality of connecting segments foldably coupled to one of the lateral sections and one of the end sections, the plurality of connecting segments being configured to form article retainers when erected. 
     
     
         12 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein a length from a first end of the blank to a first end of the base section is less than one third of a length from the first end of the blank to a second end of the blank. 
     
     
         13 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein the blank comprises a coated side and an uncoated side. 
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein the base section of the blank comprises a plurality of base cutouts formed therein, each of the plurality of base cutouts configured to receive a portion of a respective article to be held in the erected tray. 
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of connecting segments being configured to form article retainers when erected. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein the end tab comprises a glue strip configured to couple the end tab to the base section. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein: (i) the second end section comprises at least one glue strip configured to attach the second end section and the handle tab in a face-to-face relationship in the erected tray, or (ii) the handle tab comprises at least one glue strip configured either to attach the handle tab and the second end section in a face-to-face relationship in the erected tray or to couple the handle tab to the first end section in a face-to-face relationship in the erected tray. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein the second end section comprises a foldable portion configured to be coupled to a window within the handle tab.